Gilbert Educational Cable Access Governing Board Minutes
Thursday, February 08, 2007

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GILBERT EDUCATIONAL CABLE ACCESS GOVERNING BOARD,
FEBRUARY 8, 2007,
CHANDLER HIGH SCHOOL, CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION BUILDING ROOM 725,
350 NORTH ARIZONA AVENUE, CHANDLER, ARIZONA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Holland (Vice Chair), Tim Keefe (Chair), Guy Mullins, Linda Tunick, Cathy Templeton

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Vice Mayor Crozier (Council Liaison); Christy Stevens, Higley Unified School District, Diane Bowers, Gilbert Public Schools

CALL TO ORDER

Tim Keefe called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

Christy Stevens, Public Information Officer for Higley Unified School District, attended the meeting and will be appointed to the Board on February 13, 2007.

MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of October 12, 2006

A MOTION was made Cathy Templeton, seconded by Linda Tunick, to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 12, 2006. Motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair

Cathy Templeton advised that the Board periodically appoints a Chair and Vice Chair. The same Chair and Vice Chair can be reappointed if the Board desires.

A MOTION was made by Guy Mullins, seconded by Linda Tunick, to reappoint Tim Keefe as Chair and Michael Hollancd as Vice Chair. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Report from educational entities on plans to use the Educational Access Channel.

Tim Keefe reviewed use of the educational channel by Chandler Gilbert Community College (CGCC). The education channel is used to promote the district and deliver any activities that may be of interest to viewers. Activities typically include graduation exercises and public service announcements. No instructional programming is broadcast by CGCC.

Linda Tunick advised that Diane Bowers would be attending the meeting to see what is available. Linda asked about the boundaries of the channel, cable customers, and user surveys. The Gilbert education channel encompasses the corporate limits of Gilbert which includes the Gilbert, Higley and Chandler districts. There are approximately 40,000 cable customers in the Gilbert service area. Cathy Templeton advised that the only time a user survey was completed was during the cable franchise renewal process. At that time, one of the few comments received from viewers was that they would like to see school board meetings. Michael Holland advised that currently Mesa, Chandler, and Kyrene School Board meetings are replayed on the Chandler channel. Linda asked if it is possible for Gilbert Public Schools to have a designated time slot on the channel and Michael Holland indicated he is flexible and would be delighted work with the District. Linda asked if there is anything besides video that could be used. Michael Holland explained that the channel would be reinstalling satellite and could also broadcast educational programs. The channel carries the Anneberg Channel in the morning and programs can be found at learner.org. Michael said the channel also broadcasts the Classic Arts network and the channel is very popular in the Sun Lakes area. At this time the program is not on the web for the Chandler channel but there are plans to do so in the future. Michael distributed a copy of the current program schedule. Linda said she would provide the program to Diane Bowers and she would take it to the cabinet and see what they want to use.

Michael Holland explained that the channel is used in Chandler for community relations. He provided a brief history on the channel which began as an instructional channel for Spanish language. The Chandler District does not put cable into the schools and the channel became a community relations tool. Michael briefly discussed some of the informational programming that is in use or planned, such as a parenting program and Portraits in Education. The studio at the new facility has only been operational since November. The channel includes a variety of talk shows. Cathy asked that Michael provide copies of the channel rules to the schools districts. Vice Mayor Crozier said that he feels some residents may look at the channel and see Chandler and do not understand that the channel also serves the Gilbert area. Vice Mayor Crozier asked if some current lectures being sponsored by the Gilbert Human Relations Commission would be suitable for the channel as the Commission is trying to figure out how to broadcast the lectures. The next is a lecture on diversification. Michael indicated that sometimes there are copyright issues with professional lectures. Discussion followed on releases and Michael explained that the channel leaves releases up to the individual schools. Cathy Templeton said she would get copies of the tapes to Michael for review and possible broadcast.

Christy Stevens asked about the release used by the schools and Michael indicated it was the standard release. Tim Keefe pointed out the channel also has some programming from the Mesa and Kyrene Districts. Michael Holland advised that the channel also carries the Mesa District’s Homework Hotline and Board meetings. He said that since the channel began Mesa has the used the channel on Friday’s from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Guy Mullins explained that ASU moved from a traditional partnership with the education channels to a digital channel and has the ASU TV channel. Guy reported that ASU would like to get some broadcasts on the channel. There are a number of lectures and documentary programs, as well as some KAET programs. He asked about the technology needed. Michael Holland advised that different format tapes are acceptable but not beta tapes. He discussed DV tapes and DV cam. The channel is running a server to get the best quality. Discussion followed on possible use of the channel for programming. Guy said there are some courses that may be of interest. Vice Mayor Crozier asked if there was any consideration to do a hot topics program. Michael briefly discussed how if the topics are outside school and education they should be on the city channel. The District attorney has said that legally they cannot do anything with elections or debates.

Michael Holland said he is willing to discuss ideas with anyone about regular programs. The channel is a great resource that is not totally utilized. Cathy Templeton asked if any students were used for the channel and Michael advised there had not been interest as the students are interested in filming. Christy Stevens said that Higley is interested in using the channel.

4. Tour of Chandler Education TV production facilities.

Michael Holland led a tour of the Chandler Education TV production facilities. He responded to questions about the equipment and building.

OLD BUSINESS

5. Status report on the Cable Channel operations and use.

Refer to Agenda Item 2. The status report was presented while discussion plans for use of the Educational Access Channel.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/MEETINGS

6. Identify future agenda items.

The following agenda items were identified and will be placed on the next meeting agenda:
• Discussion on naming conventions for the Educational Access Channel.
• Open Student Television Network (OSTN), ostn.org.
• Discussion of use of an e-mail group to bring forth ideas.
• Open Meeting Law.
• University of Washington Research Channel.
• Representation from GECAGB on the Chandler TV Board and Annual Joint Meeting with the Chandler TV Board.

7. Schedule future GECAGB meeting(s).

The next meeting of the GECAGB will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting location will be Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler, Arizona.

COMMUNICATIONS

From the CHAIR on current events.

Tim Keefe provided an update on construction at the Williams and Pecos campuses. CGCC has recently received reaccreditation.

From the BOARDMEMBERS on current events.

Cathy Templeton reported that Michael Holland’s reappointment and the appointment of Christy Stevens would be on the February 13 Council agenda. Cathy advised she is awaiting notification from Gilbert Public Schools and Diane Bowers advised that Gilbert Public Schools wishes to reappoint Linda Tunick.

Linda Tunick reported that the Gilbert Classical Academy would open in August 2007 with 350 students. Diane Bowers briefly explained that the Academy is a six year program that combines 1-1 computing and each student is assigned a laptop for use at school and home. Students are required to take Latin and the teachers are trained in the Socratic method of instruction. They are only a few programs like this in the country.

From the COUNCIL LIAISON on current events.

Vice Mayor Crozier suggested a future tour of the Gateway campus.

ADJOURN

Tim Keefe adjourned the meeting 10:25 p.m. following conclusion of the tour of the Chandler facility.

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